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ɫ���� has named Bill Dracos as the Institute’s new Chief Research Operations Officer (CROO), a key leadership role that supports the infrastructure, integrity, and day-to-day execution of ɫ����’s $1.37 billion research enterprise. 

Dracos has served as interim CROO since the retirement of former CROO Robert Butera. In that time, Dracos has led efforts to enhance research administration, compliance, and operational efficiency across campus — equipping ɫ����’s researchers with the tools and support needed to focus on what they do best: advancing science and solving real-world problems. 

As CROO, Dracos will oversee a broad portfolio that includes research operations and infrastructure, research integrity assurance, research administration, and strategic process improvement. 

“I’m committed to operational excellence across ɫ����’s research enterprise, and that means building systems that continually evolve to meet the needs of our researchers. Bill understands that great operations make great research possible,” said Tim Lieuwen, ɫ����’s executive vice president for Research. “His leadership will help us simplify and enhance processes and support our teams to deliver results at scale.” 

Before stepping into the interim CROO role, Dracos served as deputy chief operating officer for the (GTRI), where he led major cost-saving and operational streamlining initiatives. His work helped strengthen GTRI’s financial and infrastructural foundation — from real estate negotiations, fiscal management, and capital investments to advanced analytics and risk controls. 

Prior to ɫ����, Dracos held executive roles at George Mason University and Emory University, where he led large-scale university operations, established internal consulting practices, and led major business transformation efforts. He also spent more than a decade at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), advising research universities, health systems, and nonprofits. 

A graduate of Duke University with a degree in biology, Dracos earned his MBA with highest honors from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. He is a published author, frequent conference speaker, and university lecturer. 

This leadership move aligns with ɫ����’s broader goals to reduce administrative burden and increase operational transparency. 

“I’m proud of the fact that we have doubled the scale and impact of our research over the last decade,” said Lieuwen. “Leaders like Bill will continue to drive the operational engine so foundational to this enterprise.”